# SMS Country Information Guide: North America

### **Canada** <a href="#g56wqzxz73zb" id="g56wqzxz73zb"></a>

**Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)**

* Transactional SMS: Toll Free Number
* Promotional SMS: Toll Free Number
* Two-Way Conversations: SMS with Toll Free Number

**Sender Types Supported**

* Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): No
* Canada Phone Number: Yes (SMS and MMS)
* Canada Short Code: Yes (only SMS)
* International Phone Number: No
* Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

**Restrictions**

* Operator Registration Required: No
* Generic URL Shortening: No (Only branded URL shortening like yourbrand.link is allowed)
* Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: Yes (Monday-Sunday 20:00-08:00)

**Additional Notes**

* Also supported: Short Codes, SMS Local Numbers (for testing only)

**Opt-out Rules**

* Transactional traffic: Opt-out required. Stop language should be included in all registration messages
* Promotional traffic: Opt-out required. Stop language must be included in all registration messages

### **Mexico** <a href="#id-8wck7twyzoaf" id="id-8wck7twyzoaf"></a>

**Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)**

* Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")
* Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")
* Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

**Sender Types Supported**

* Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes
* Mexico Phone Number: Yes
* Mexico Short Code: Yes
* International Phone Number: No
* Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

**Restrictions**

* Operator Registration Required: Yes
* Generic URL Shortening: Yes
* Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: Yes
  * Monday-Thursday: 20:00-08:00
  * Friday-Sunday: 20:00-18:00

**Additional Notes**

* Promotional traffic allowed only from 08:00-18:00 local time
* Without a registered Alphanumeric Sender ID, messages default to a Shared Short Code (or your Dedicated Short Code if you have one)
* Alpha Sender registration fee: $350 USD monthly if sending fewer than 100K messages per month
* Two-way messaging available via dedicated short codes, but using your own WhatsApp number may be more cost-effective

**Opt-out Rules**: No specific opt-out regulations

### **United States of America** <a href="#id-2yzpv1hwuqz" id="id-2yzpv1hwuqz"></a>

**Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)**

* Transactional SMS: Toll Free Long Code (Phone Number)
* Promotional SMS: Toll Free Long Code (Phone Number)
* Two-Way Conversations: SMS with a two-way Toll Free Long Code

**Sender Types Supported**

* Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): No
* US Phone Number: Yes (SMS and MMS)
* US Short Code: Yes (SMS and MMS)
* International Phone Number: No
* Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

**Restrictions**

* Operator Registration Required: Yes
* Generic URL Shortening: No (Only branded URL shortening like yourbrand.link is allowed)
* Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: Yes (Monday-Sunday 20:00-09:00)

**Additional Notes**

* Also supported: US 10DLC, Toll Free Numbers
* See country-specific page for more information about short codes

**Opt-out Rules**

* Transactional traffic: Opt-out required. Stop language should be included in all registration messages
* Promotional traffic: Opt-out required. Stop language must be included in all registration messages